The 8th Karachi Football League 2010-11 saw tournament organisers Karachi United face a shock 0-1 defeat at the hands of Burma Mohammadan (Korangi) in their Group ‘A’ clash, while in Group ‘B’ National Afridi (Baldia Town) avoided defeat by equalising late against Salaar Welfare Centre (Malir) 2-2. Both games were held at the Baloch Mujahid Stadium in Ibrahim Hyderi, Karachi.
Saifullah scored the winner for Burma Mohammadan against heavyweights Karachi United. Abdul Haleem scored twice for Salaar Welfare Centre but goals from Usman Ali and Muhammad Kashif helped National Afridi share the points at the end. KFL organising secretary Riaz Ahmed declared Saifullah (Burma Mohdn) and Usman Ali (National Afridi) as the respective man of the match award winners. Referees were Adnan Khan, Babar Khan, Farrukh Riaz and Riaz Baloch, while match commissioners were Abdul Karim (Member Central Zone) and Saleem Arif.
In Group ‘A’, the Karachi United – Burma Mohammadan game witnessed some breath takingly fast action by both sides searching for goals throughout the 90 minutes under floodlights. Burma Mohdn’s Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Jaffar, Noor Alam and Saifullah, and Karachi United’s Rehan Munir, Karim Kerai, Taha Rehman, Shahrukh, and Athar Qadri showed impressive displays but could not convert their chances. However, Saifullah gave Burma Mohammadan a 1-0 lead seconds before half time. Burma Mohammadan survived continuous attacks by KUFC in second half and held on for an unlikely victory to put them in good position for a top-4 finish. Rehan Munir’s last gasp free-kick could not get the much needed equaliser for KUFC as it struck the cross bar to go out of play.
In Group ‘B’, National Afridi took an early lead through Usman Ali (16′) but Salaar Welfare Centre’s top scorer Abdul Haleem struck twice in 36th and 75th minutes to give his side a 2-1 lead. Salaar WC looked likely to snatch all 3 points but Muhammad Kashif struck the equaliser deep in the 2 minutes of stoppage time to give National Afridi an unlikely share of the spoils at the end.
The results leave Karachi United in 2nd place with 9 points from 4 games while Burma Mohammadan are 7th with 6 points from 4 games in Group ‘A’. In Group ‘B’, National Afridi are 7th with 4 points from 4 games while Salaar Welfare Centre earned first point after 4 games to be in 9th position. Today (Monday 20.01.2011) Sindh Balochistan face Shazad Mohammadan in a Group ‘B’ clash with 6 PM kick off.
8TH KARACHI FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2010-11
Venue: Baloch Mujahid Stadium – Ibrahim Hyderi
GROUP ‘A’
Match No.44
Burma Mohammedan Korangi beat Karachi United 1-0 (1-0)
Saifullah 45
Burma Mohammedan 6 points from 4 games (7th position) while Karachi United still on 9 points from 4 games (2nd position)
GROUP ‘B’
Match No.43
National Afridi and Salaar Welfare Centre 2-2 draw
National Afridi: 2 – Usman Ali 16, Mohammad Kashif 90
Salaar W.C.: 2 – Abdul Haleem 36, 75
National Afridi 4 points from 4 games (7th position) while Salaar W.C. 1 point from 4 games (9th position)
Fixture (Friday) 21.01.2011
Venue: Baloch Mujahid Stadium – Ibrahim Hydri
Sindh Balochistan vs Shazad Mohammadan at 6:00 pm
[Source: Riaz Ahmed – 0300-3926092]
